William wickersham



W. WICKERSHAM'. BLBCTROMAGNBTIG ENGINE.

No. 78,629. Patented June 2. 1868 HHMMMHTIEI mammn e o l @with tartes @nicht ffies.

WILLIAM WICKERSHM, OF AlwOSllilNhMASSACHUSETTS.

' Letters .Patent No. 78,629, dated June 2, 1868.

tnrsovsunnr 1N attorno-Maertens ENGINES.

digi tigrhiih refnrfh tuin tlgtstttttrs attnt mit making pim nt tige same.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM WICKERSHAM, of Boston, in the county of Snffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have inventeda new and improved Electro-Magnetic Engine; land I do herebydeclare that the following is a fulland exact description thereof, reference being had to thedrawings, and to the figures and letters olrefebv ence marked thereon.

sense in which I use them.- I will, therefore, define them,to make my meaning more clear.

Electro-magnetic chain," or, briefly, magnetic chain, a chain composed of links, one half ofwhich are non-magnetic, and the -other half magnetic bars, either steel or iron. When made of iron, thedinks become electro-magnets byA being surrounded by a coil, through which an electric current passes. v v 4 Magnetic bar, the magnetic link in the electro-magnetic chain, either s cel or iron, occupying the space between each two consecutive non-magnctic links irrsaid chain, described in my specification. v

The i'irst feature of ruy invention. relaties to the arrangement of the magnetic bars, and consists in placing them in an endless chain, having non-magnetic links or connection-rodsin the spaces between them, the magnets being intermittent and separate links in the chain. l v y The second feature of my invention relates to the disposition of said magnetic chains in the engine, and consists in the constmction ot`two,chain-gears on parallel shafts,-of suitable form'an'd distance apart to receive said chain, all arranged in-such manner that the gea-rs and chain can revolve together. l

The third feature of my invention relates tothe extension of my engine for the-.increase of power, and con-v sists'in the duplication to any number desirable of these said magne'ticfchain gears on each shaft, with the corresponding number of electromagnetic chains all working concurrently together and communicating their power to the same shafts. l

I use i'n my'specitication a few terms and phrases whith may not have been used before in precisely the sameA The fourth feature of my invention relates to the manner of extending the' helices to increase the power of the engine, and consists in so ceiling or forming a' thin ribbon-shaped strip of metalinto twoo'r more helices, with the width of the strip at right angles to the axis, the number` corresponding to the number of electro-magnetic chains working` ou one shaft in said engine, and so arranging them in the engine that one of said chains (as they revolve) shall pass through cach of said helices, formed of the same strip of metal.4

The fifth feature of my invention relates to the device for closing and opening the electric currents or circuits which pass through the helices, and which give polarity to the magnetic bars, and consists in having the strips of metal, of which the helices are formed, extend at ono end of the engine beyond thehelices, on to one sido of a revolving cylinder, which has strips of metal -or conductors placed at intervals around it and even with its surface, which conductors are formed spirally, or have a twist, as theyextcnd from one end of the cylinder to the other', and all so arranged with relation to the extended strips forming the helices, that, when they rest -on the spiral conductors of the cylinder, the'circuit is closed, and, when they rest-on the'spaces between these the'circuitjs open, and so further arranged that the closing of the circuit successively in the different helices forming each column will ndvancefrom one end to the other a't the same speed as the magnetic bar does while passing through them, which is d one'by means of the spiral form`of thc conductora cn siiidcylindcr.

The sixth feature of my invention consists in so arranging these spiral conductors in said cylinder that one of them will close and open the circuits for .the passage -of'each of the magnetic bars, ns advances through its column of helices, said helices being connected with one pole of the batter-y, at the opposite end 'of the engine from said cylinder, and with the other pole through the spiral conductors on thecylinder.v A

vThe seventh feature of my invention relates to the device for stopping theinachine or reversing the speed, und consists in so constructing the shaft through said cireuit-cylinder and the cylinder, thatitcan be moved to any position on the shaft, and'still revolve with it, and then by arranging all parts connected'with the said circuitcylinder in such manner that the cylinder can be mor-ed to such a position on its shaft, that Ithe closed circuit through .the helices will always be iu such position that the magnetic bars will have ne power of mntionpin either t is sus 2 I direction, and so thatfit can `bemoved one way or the other from this point,v causing the electro-magnetic chains to move in either direction, at pleasure. i

Thc'eight-h feature of my'i'riv'entier-1 relatesjtlo the d eveefoir. moving theeircuitcylinder to any desired position, and controllingitfwhich consists of-a rod, fitted into the stand in a parallel position with the cylinder, and close .to it, with spring-stops,n und by having secured on the end 'of this rod revolving washer, working in o groove in the cylinder, in 4such manner that, whenktherod is raised or depressed, the-.cylinder will'move with it and be held in any position where'the rod is'allwe'd to rest,"so that, by moving the said rod (and consequently the cylinder) t one position, the'er'igine will run with'its greatest-power in onetlirection', and by movingit to au opposite position the enginc'will run with its"greatest power` in'the oppos`ite' direction, and by moving said rod to an intermediate position the engine wilLreinain at rest, Y

The ninth feature of z uyinventiou relates to themauner of forming and arranging lthe helices witlrregard to the direction of the elehtricedii''ents ax'oiind'themagnetic bars, and'co'nsistsin so forming each'line of helices made of one strip of metal, that each -one 'in the line sihall coil around in a diierent direction, and shail conduct its electric currentarouirditsmagnetic bar iria diiieront direction from'the one knext preceding it, and the next one in advance of it, giving to 'thcingnetic bars in them alternate reversed polaritics,vall the helices in each column conducting their currents in the saine direction, Y'

' tenthii'eature of my invention relates to lthe manner of arranging the two sides of the engine, undcun sists in ceiling the two columnsof helices reversely,`which are. on oppositev sides of the machine, 'and Athrough "Kihei-downwards; 'and vz'ce verr i Referring tov'i'ny 'firaivin-g's" A Figure lis a side elevation, showing the electro-magnetic chains and chain-gears and their shafts, showing `alj`o"t`w`o -of-theicylinders or cases containing the columns-of helices,.also the conducting/bars or strips of metai formingthe helices 'n't'eaeli endof the engine, and their connection with each pole of the buttery, also the cireuitcyliude'rhndits connections.'

' 1`v-"""'Fig'iir`e e.2 iste. perpendicular section in' the redlinc, B, through one of the electro-nmgrietinf chainsandits chain-gears, and through'the two` columns of heliee's 'and their cases through which the magnetic bars of said cnampassL-{z-ff Figure 3 is ahoiizontalsection 'through the engi'nefin the redline A, near theupper. part,vshowing the gvhiclirfth'esaie electro-magnetic' chain-passes, so' that," if vthe north polarityin one is upwards, inft'hcotherit metallicfpl'zrte at'one' end of the enginecon'nected withthe positive pole of the battery, and atfth'c same time conuted'withone'vend of all the'strips o f metal forming-tbe helices.,A also-showing a top view of the four columns of helicesnsthey stand in their cases, and also showing the extension of the strips forming the helices on fte thc-circuit-oylinder, through wliihfthey are connected with the negative pole of the battery.

" :rf -':=-I* igu`re 4-shows aside and aftop' view ofthe thin strip of metal formed into helices, as 'it ,is whenready for use in the engine; also it 4shows an arrangement by which two circuit-'cylinders 'are-used instead of one, as shown `-in,-ii} ;;s.11and 3.' 1 16" `"Fig-ure' 'shows a. sectionofthe part of the stand through the'rod which moves the circuit-cylinder, show- "in'g Athe *arrangement of' the spring-stop which'holds it in position.

Figure 6 shows the surface-plan of the circuit'cylinder, also showing, at the 1eft-hand side, rthe relation of the magnetic ba-rs-tothe open circuits in the front'part of the'-machine,-in three diierent positions ofthe circuitcylinder, and at the right-hund side is shown thel'same thing, with regard to the magnetic bars in ithe bo'ck part of the engine.'

-a a a, &`c., are the helices; b bib, Snc., are .he magnetic hars; c c, rito.. are the chaimgears; d d d, Kto., are the links' between the magnetic bars, connecting them together in a' chain ;\e e e are strips of metallicconductors, six 'in number, placed at intervals around .the circuit-cylinder, f, and in a-spiral direction from one en d to the ther, and all terminating in u metallic base, f', at thelower ond, Awhich base isinconstant4conection with thc negative pole of the battery, through'the conductor g and the wire 7L, while the plate i, through the wire j, is in Aconstant. connection with the positive .pole of the battery.'v

i k is a cam-gear on one of the shafts'of the chain-gear. This gear k works ing. gear, l, 4twicevits sise, on

the shaft m. This shaft has a groove from one end to theotherj, intowlich a spline or tongue, n, projects from the cylinderf, in such manner that thc cylinder can move up or down' oh tl e shaft, but must turn with i; as it revolves.

o is a rod, with three small notches, marked by three red tigures, 1, 2, and 3, intowhich the har'p is pressed by the spring q. This rod has secured to its upper ende. revolving washer, which works in n griove in the hase,-f, of the circuit-cylinder, all arranged in auch manner' that, when the bar -o is moved upwards, so'vthat the notchfat figure 2 comes under the bar jp, the upper end of the cylinder will'inove from the position 1 to that of 2, andvwhen the notch iu said rodat 3 is moved up to the bnr p, then thenppereud'of the cylinder will be in .the position. l I

s s are the two cyiindric cases in the front port of the engine, enclosing'the`two columns of helices, and s' a are the two cases in the'hack part of the machine, for the two'ot'her columns oi' helices.. Y

t t t tare four small thin tubes inside of thohelioes,- through which the magnetic bars pass. 4 `In ig.-4 is shown a somewhat modified plan for opening andclosing the circuits through the helices. 1n this the gear-k works in the gear 2', of the same size, on the upright shaft m', which has a spur-gear on thelower end, which works in the gearv on the shaft m, and this, again, turns thegeanw, of ihc'same size, on the shaft m. `These three last-named goarsaro indicated by red circularlines.' Those shafts m and in, tig. 4, operate the circuit-cylindersf and f iu the same manner that the shaftmooperates the c'ylinderf, 1, before described, qnd1thecircnt-oylinder'und'ts 'eondueting-bars e e e are formed Vand.'ri-ranged''nainthe cvlinder f, iig. 1, and

detailedin'iig. 6, except that its motion is in the reverse direction, thereby causing the successive closing and opening of the circuits through'the helices of the back part ofthe engine, toproced upwards, sniting the upward movement of the magnetic bars onthat side, instead of the plan, as shown in iig. 1, of having the parts 'of 'the strips forming the helices in the back -pnrt of the machine, which rest on the cylinderreversed, that is, No, 1 bent down to the position (i, and No. -2 to the position 5, and so on through the series.

Having described the parts, I will proceed to describe the opcrationof my engine.

Assuming 'all parts of thc engine to -bein thcpositions shown in the drawings, and the wirej in connection with the positive pole of the battery, thereby bringing -all the helices on both sides of the engine in the same connection, and the wire h to be in connection with the negative pole, and allowing the red line in front of the cylinder-f, marled'in red, No. 1 4to be the line of contaet'hctween the bars au a and said cylinder, it will be seen that the three npper helices, as extended to the cylinder f, marked as 1, 2, 3, iig.-1, are in connection with one of the conductors e, and consequently the circuit is closed through th'cm, and the-relation o f the two magnetic bars just entering them from above is shown at the uppcrmagnet itt the redlne marked 1,'on the left hand in iig. 6, where the small red lines, made across said magnet at the lower end, and below it, represent the position of the closed circuits through the three upper helices, and it is clearth'at this magnetic bar, thus situated, wili be impclleddownwards, as the'arrow-point indicates, and if this niagneticbar is allowed to more in the direction thus impelled, the impelling force will continue in thc same direction, so long as the saine relation exists between the magnetic bars and the closed circuits, if the column of helices through which it passesis ever'so long; and this is Vwhat is actnallydone by the circuit-cylinderf, for it will be observed that, as soon as these magnetic bars in the. front part of the engine,`or the one, b', iig. 6, just referred to, which represents them, begins .to move downwards, thecylinderfbcgins to turn, as indicated by `the arrow-point at its upper end, and by moving but a little way the conductor c, leaves its connection with the upper helices, markedl, andthe conductor, by a little movementl of said cylinder, will come into connection with the fourth series of helices, closing thc circuit in the second, third, and fourthhelices, the first, fifth, and sixth being open, and, b v a-still further movement,,thethird` fourth, :mdffth helices have closed circuits, and so on, thefcrm and motion ofthe conductor c being such as always to close and open the circuits successively downwards, in such manner that the relation of the closed circuits through the helices will remain the same, as nearly as may be, to the position of the magnetic bars as thcyadvance down` wards, and by the time the next magnetic bars approach the columns of helices,l the next conductor e will close the circuit, first, of the first helix, then the second, third, fourth, and so on, alwaysclosing the circuits far enough in advance of the moving magnets (when the' machine is properly adjusted) as to impel them with their greatest force.` I v Y We will assume the machine again to be in its first position. When the cylinder is mov-cd upwards from its lirst to its second position, the iii-st and sixth helices will have closed circuits, zand, os. shown in the .magnetic barson the second red line on the left, in fig. G, the lower one will be impelled upwards, and the'upper one downwards', as the arrow-points indicate', and the engine will rest, and when said cylinderfis moved to its upper position, the circuits will be closed in the fourth, fifth, and sixth helices, as shown in-the magnetic bars on the', third red line on the left of iig. 6, and the lower magnet will be impclled upwards, and the engine will run in a. reverse direction from that first described.

It will be obserredthat there are tw'o red lines drawn from top to'bottom onthe Asurface view ofthe cylinder j, iig. '6. The first of these, No. 1, shows lthe line`of connection of the helices onthe front side of theengine with said cylinder, and the other line, No. 2, shows the line of connection of the helices at the back of the engine,- and the horizontal dotted lines across this view show the linesof'conncction of each h elix around the cylinder when the cylinder is in its first position.

It will be further seen, also, that the'rcd numbers on these linesgwhich indicate the helices in't'heir columns, are reversed, that is, those on the first line commence at the top, and these on the second commence at the'bottom. This change is made because the upper helicesat thc back of the machine must have their connection with the cylinder on the lowest position or dotted line, and the second helix from the top on the second line from the bottom, and so on,`all reversed, as shown' in iig. '1, behind the frontconnections. This is necessary, because the magnetic bars in the rear part ofthe engine' move upwards, when those .in front more downwardspand always in the reverse direction.

By this arrangement the same relation is preserved between the moving magnetic bars and the closed cir..

cuits in the back and frontof Vthe engine, though the magnets move in reverse ldirections, and the elevation ofthe cylinderf to the second and third position, has the saine effect to stop the maehine'and reverse its-speed, as in the front part, asshown inthe magnetic bars in the three red lines' at the right-hand side of iig. 6, where, in4 line`1 the open circuits are shown as in the first position of the cylinder, and in line 2 the scco'ndposition, and .in'line3the'third position of the cylinder, where the speed is reversed, and the magnets i-n the '-reargliartof the engine-moredownwards. u v

By having two circuit-cylinders running in rcversedircctions, as shown. atfand-flfgl, the helices may have their connection with the cylinders in their natural order, as shown in thcfront'part of the machine i-nig. 1l The chai'ngears, c c, I construct by cutting into the periphery spaces fori-the magnetic bars,A and between those, spaces for the links d, smaller than the others, so that there-'will be bearings, inthe wheel orge'ar, for the ends of the magnetic bars to restugnin'st, so that they cannoteliange their-,position inthe-gear..

` '.lwo of tnesc gears, c c, placed on two parallel shafts suitably distant torcceivc one electromagnetic chain, Ind, b d, with two 'columns of helices, la a, one at the baci: and one at the front-ofthe machine, the plate-t' and its connect-ion with the positive pole of the battery, and the cylinderf und its connection with the negative pole,

would constitute a complete engine; but I have taken great pains in arranging and contriving this machine, so y that, .for the increase of power, itfcan, in a very simple mnner, be extended. Merely by increasing` the lcnnth ofthe shafts, and placing-on them any desirable numbei of chain-gears and chains,-and by increasing tho number of helices in each strip, the engine may be extended to any desirable amount ofpower, still preserving a very desirable compadtness. I t To show the manner in `which this is accomplished, I have arrmgeul my engine with'tuo chain-gears en euch shaft, and two chains, as shou'n oft c 2,6 d, b r1,.&:c., iigs. l and 3, and I have constructed two helices on each metallic strip, as shown at a a`a,7&c., igs. 3 andfl.

0n the top view of these helices, I have placed smailar-row-points, which indicate the directionv in which the electrowurrent ows around thc-fiungnetic har when passing through the helix.

These views show also the manncrhnd direction in which these thin metallic strips are coiled into helices,

and it will be observed that in the first helix, from the plate, 1', on the front side ofthe engine, fig. 3, thc'current flows in a left-hand direction around thermagnctic bar, and in the second helix, on the same strip, the' current. lc'sin a right-hund direction. I g' ,I

By this arrangement the helices may be very near together, and tlrey. will mutually assist each other in charging the magnetic bars and giving them power, and indeed, if three helices are placed in a line near to euch other, as they can be, und anl electro-magnet is placed in the middle one, and ive allow an electric current to pass Vthrlough only the outside ones, the magnet thus situated will receive a. charge of magnetic polarityot con,

siderable power, which would be added4 to the power it would receive from its ou'n helix if the currentrpassed through all three. But suppose, ou the contrary, the current was madeto Iiow the same IWay, around through the middle helix, as through the cndones, then tho-force of the outside helices would serve to neutralizev that of 'thcmagnetic bnr; hence the value of my arijangement.

It will be noticed, by examining the four helices in fig. 3, that those on the opposite sides lof the machine, through which the same chain passes, have their. currents lloiv iu'reversc directions. The object of this is,y that of the middle one, and theirpower must be subtracted from that'of the middle helix te get the rcsultant'rforce i the same pclarityfmay be preserved in the magnetic hars while passing down through one` column oflhelices,

and up through the other on theopposite side of the engine. v A A It has been found diicult, if not impossiblc,'to procure iron free'from carbon, and `)ust in proportion asv the magnetic har contains carbon its tcndenc i iis-to become a. fixed mannetn'hcn laced in a helix with a closed circuit, and it requires as much electric force-to change a xed magnet into ancutral state, as to change it,

from a neutral state to a magnet, hencethe waste of force inall electro-magnetic engines requiringa change of polarity in 'the magnetic .ba-rs, and hence the value of the arrangement just described, foi-preserving the same polarit;Y in the magnetic bars, as carbon in the iron does not interfere with thc working of the engine;

- indeed, fixed steel vmagnets may be used successfully in .place ofthe iron electro-magnets.

In constructing my engine, the magneticfbars should-be made of the best of iron, or of thcbest of steel in case steel magnets arc used. The helices shouldhe formed of the purest copper, and insulated by wrapping in the manner ivell known for preparing wire fer helices, or hy varnishing it with shellac or other non-conducting varnish. i l i The spiral-conductors, e e e, should be made ofsilv'er, or of silver-plated copper,and the base,f, of the same material. .y .t ,l

The bas'ef, should he insulated by having the stand made-of a iron-conductor, or byhaving'a block of ivory setinto the stand' for the bearings of the cylinder and the rod o, or in an)r other Way-known to electricians; also the plate'z should be insulated'.

AItIavingthus'cizplainedmy invention, what Iolaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In electro-magnetic engines, I c laim the arrangement of the magnetic bars in au endless chain, having alternate magnetic bai-sand linlts of non-magnetic metal, the chain being so arranged in thc engine that all v the magnetic bars can pass successively through the same helix, orA column of helices, substantially as described,

and for the p'urposeset forth. 4 i

2. In electro-magnetic engines, I claim the construction o t two chain-gears o n parallel shaftsyofsuitable form and dist-ance apart to receive the electro-magnetic chain, all'arranged in such manner that the gears'a'nd chain can revolve together, substantially as'describcd. 1 .j 3. In electro-magnetic engines, I claim the arrangement of tiro or any desirable number ,of chain-gears on the same shaft, with the corresponding number of electro-magnetic chains, all working concurrently together und communicating their pou'crto the saine shafts, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth..

4. In electro-magnetic engines, out of a. thin ribbon-shaped strip of metal,I .claim the formation of tivo -or more helices, as described, and so arranging them in the engine, in columns or .otl1erwisc,that each shall receive a. different series of magnetic bars threnghit, and so further arranging them that when the circuit is closed through one helix, it shall be closed through all of the series thus formed of suid'strip, substantially as described, 5. I claim the circuit-cylinder, with its spiral conductors-so formcdrand in such connection-with the helices, that itsliall continuc the sunto relation between the closed circuits and the position oi" the magnetiebanmr as near ais-may be, as'it advances through the column of helices.

6. I claim such` dispositivi: of thesclspirnl conductors around said circuit-cylinder, that one of them will perform the same function for each magnetic bar as it enters a column of helices, or for all the magnetichurs of a series which enter a wrics ofsaid columns at the same time, substantially as described-and for the purpose ect forth.

7. `I claim such an arriingcment of the spiral conductors e e c, on the sides of the cylinder, in combination with its movable arrangement on its shaft, as will close the circuits in such manner 4in its middle position that therenill he rio-tendency of the magnetic bars to more in either direction, and as will open the circuits in such manner in its upper and loner positions as will give motion to the magnetic liars, butin diverse dir eotionathe V5 l upper position in one direction, and the lower position in the opposite direction, substantially as descriied and for the purpose set forth.

8. I claim, in combination with the cylinder, the device, consisting of the sliding bar aand the spring-q, for moving the`ci'rcuit-eyluder to and holding it vin any position needful to stop the engine or running it .in either direction, as described. v

9. I elaim making each alternate helix, of those formed of the same strip of metal, c oil around in wdiverse direction from the others, in such manner that whenian electric current pssing' throng 1n'. linof helices, so formed oi' the same strip of metal, produces a north polarity in one end of a magnetic h ar, placed irf any one of said helices, a south polarity will be produced in the same end of u megnetic har placed in either ofthe adjonw.

ing lhelices of the saine lincfthe electric current ilowing in-the saule lireetiou through all the helices in the same column, substantially as and for the purpose described.

' 10, I also claim such en arrangement of the columns of'helices-on the* opposite sides vof the engine that i -through any two columns, one on the back and the other on the front of the engine, through which the some electro-magnetic chain passes, the electric current shall flow in-diverse directions, giving north polarity to the upper end of n. magnetic har in one, while it gives south polarity to the upper end of the magnetic bars in the other,-aud vcc versa, all'subst-antially as described and for the purpos'e set forth.

. WILLIAM WICKERSHAM.

Witnesses:

A. D. PARKER,

JOHN J. Loon. 

